Power transformation



Jan 25 1927' G. H. scHlEFERsTElN POWER TRANSFORMATION Filed Feb. 16, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 25 1927, 1,615,655

G. H. SCHlEFERsTl-:IN

POWER TRANSFORMATI 0N Filed Feb. 16, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jan. 25, 1927,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

POWER TRANSFORMATION.

Application led February 16, 1924, Serial No. 693,330, and in Germany February 10, 1988,

The presentinvention relates to the transmission of mechanical power whereby the efficiency of transmission is considerably improved. I

l o this end I utilize the periodicity of an oscillating mass and maintain the oscillations of the mass by reciprocating driving mechanism loosely or yieldingly coupled to the oscillating mass with provision for tunlu ing the driving member to the oscillating mass in accordance with power to be taken from the driven mechanism or with the reciprocations of the reciprocating mechanism,

or both.

The oscillating member is caused to drive a shaft or other rotating element to be driven by being clutched thereto when swinging in one direction` and is released therefrom when swinging in the opposite direction.

Devices for effecting this connection are well known and may comprise pawl and ratchet mechanisms` roller or ball clutches operating in connection with inclines, band 26 brakes effective in one direction, spring couplings &c.

By this means I convert reciprocating motion into rotary motion through the oscillating system, and this conversion will be effected either by great power through a small path of movement, or by small power through a large path of movement, depending upon the resistance to the movement of the oscillating system caused by the load on the driving shaft, the assemblage being self-adjusting within limits, to the condltions of operation.

Initially I adjust the reciprocating mechanism to the natural or inherent oscillation period of the oscillating system, the loose or resilient connection between the two compensating for differences in amplitude of the oscillations.

In addition` I may damp the oscillations of the mechanism and adjust the damping for tuning purposes.

It is best to tune closely or sharply because by a tuned system a greater amplitude of oscillations will be attained, and consequently such a mechanism will be better adapted to accumulate energy and transmit power than a mechanism that is not tuned.

In most positively driven mechanisms when the resistance is increased, its speed stroke or path of movement cannot be altered.

An elastic or yielding driving mechanism acts quite differently, because when the resistance to operation varies, the path or stroke automatically varies accordingly, and consequently the transmission ratio also varies.

I use a so-called loose or yielding connection between the reciprocating driving mechanism and the oscillating transmission mechanism. The frequency of oscillation of an oscillating mechanism remains constant or nearly so, even under variations of load, but the amplitude of oscillation may change considerably.

By the interposition of a yielding elastic connection between the reciprocating driving mechanism and the oscillating mechanism the amplitude of oscillation may automatically vary, and corresponds to a change in the length of the path of movement, and this also corresponds to a change in the transmission ratio.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are similarly designated- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a mechanism embodying my invention, involving the use of a spiral spring as the loose coupling. Fig. 2 is a similar device involving coil springs as the loose or yielding coupling between the reciprocating and oscillating mechanisms.

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2, but shows the driven power shaft eccentric or displaced from the oscillating system.

Fig. 4 is a cross section showing a clutch device.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show different connections between the oscillating and reciprocating mechanisms.

Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the arrangement of the oscillating member asconsisting of a frame.

Figs. 13, 13* and 13b illustratev concentric arrangements in different positions of the oscillating member and its connections.

Fig. 14 illustrates reciprocated racks and co-operating pinions.

Fig. 15 illustrates pinions driven in a different manner. l

Fig. 16 illustrates an oscillating disc and clutch driven through the medium of a leaf Spring.

is fixed and Figs. 17 and 18 show the embodiment of the invention in a winding mechanism or hoist, driven directly through the medium be set in rotation an lever e provided with weights a shiftable along the opposite ends of the lever to any adjusted position. A spiral spring b is\con nected at its centre at one end to the nave of the lever e and to its opposite end is connected one end of a connectin rod h whose other end is mounted on an driven by a crank g rotating in the direction of arrow I.

By shifting the weights a along the lever, or the point of connection of rod lz. with the spring b, or both the frequency of the oscillating system may be altered within comparativel ywide limits. Between the nave of the ever e and the driven shaft 0 there is a clutch of any of the types previous- 1y referred to, to cause the lever 'e to grip and drive the shaft in one direction but release the shaft when swinging in the opposite direction; in other words, the shaft c is free running with respect to the lever.

Instead of a lever e provided with weights or masses a, a fly-wheel may be used.

Assume that the lever e clutches the shaft when swung in the direction of arrow II and that in the opposite direction shaft and lever are free; also that the lever is excited to oscillation by the crank rotating in the direction of arrow I, the crank at first rotating slowly and increasing up to normalv speed.

During the first half period of rotation of the crank the shaft c is clutched to the lever e and spring b will be wound upon itself and tensioned. The lever e does not move at all or but little during the first half period, but when the crank g passes its lower dead oint the accumulated energy of the spring is given back to the mechanism and the lever will be moved in a direction opposite to the arrow II energetically, being at this time disconnected from the shaft c. At the next half period of the crank g the lever e returns to its vertical position and before doing so tensions the springb and clutches the shaft and moves it to some extent by its accumulated energy in the direction of arrow II. This action is repeated at each rotation of the crank g and the amplitude of the swing of the lever e increases more and more as the speed of rotation of the crank approaches the speed of oscillation of the lever e, that is until the natural or inherent nemesis frequency -of the lever'is reached, when the two systems will be in tune, or synchronized.

The oscillating system when tuned to vibrate in synchronism -with the rotation of the crank and when damped by a given driving load, will transmit its greatest power at a maximum amplitude.

Altering the resistance to rotation of the shaft c the amplitude of the vibration of the lever changes correspondingly, and by reason of this change in the length of the path of oscillation the transmission ratio also changes, but the period of oscillation remains constant or nearly so, irrespective of such change. v

In Fig. 2, the lever e with its adjustable' loading weights a is loose on shaft c and is clutched thereto as in Fig. 1. The means for imparting the change of direction of the movement ofthe lever and forming/the loose or yielding connection between the lever and its actuator is a pair of coil springs b b. One end of'these springs is secured to a stationary part, and their opposite ends are connected to an actuating lever z' pivoted between its ends at l1. The springs are connected between their ends to the nave of the lever e. The lever z' is provided with a series of holes 2 on each side of its pivot in which the spring ends may be connected at different distances from the pivot 1. The lever i is-connected at one end to an end of a connecting rod driven by the crank g.

The operation is identical to that of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is similar to Fi 2, but in this instance the free running s aft c does not support the oscillating lever e, which has a separate pivot c. The lever e has two connecting rods 0 connected to shells n and Z respectively that are alternately clutched to an intermediate shell m secured to the shaft c, as shown in cross-section Fig. 4. The shells Z and n are so connected to the ends of the rods o that they move in directions opposite to one another, and thus alternately drive the shaft 0.

The construction Fig. 3 is susceptible of several modifications in the manner of driving the oscillating power lever e, as will ap ear from Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

n Fig. 5 the springs b are connected at both ends to stationary supports and I provide a kinetic connection between the lever e and the connecting rod L in the form of a U-shaped leaf spring It to which the end of the driving rod L 1s adjustably connected at which connection can be adjusted along the longer leg of the spring c.

In Fig. 6 the transmission lever is made in two parts e and c pivoted together, and the portion e is pivoted at its center to a stationary part. The part e carries the mass .p and the driving rod h is connected to the portion e by the connector shift.

able along this portion. The weight p is also adjustable along the portion e. In this instance the springs are omitted. Tuning is eifected by shifting the connector a: or the weight p or both.

Instead of using a lever portion as e having one arm, this lever portion may be a two-armed lever u, Fig. 7

Fig. 8 illustrates a device in which a frame a', constituting the mass of the oscillating system, surrounds the shaft c that is to be driven. The shell Z is preferably provided with a clutch of the type shown in Fig. 4 or Fig. 13. The driving impulses are imparted to the shell Zby connecting rods o each pivoted to the frame and their opposite ends pivoted at diametrically opposite points to the shells. The frame a is pivoted at 02 and swings between the springs b2 connected at their one end to stationary supports *and4 at their opposite ends to the frame a. A weight [c2 is suspended on a pendulum rod 3 pivoted at the bottom of the frame a and is adjustable therealono'. The driving rod h is adjustably connecteda to the pendulum rod 3 by the connector In Fig. 9, instead of a mass coupling between the frame a' and driving rod con` sisting of a pendulum as in Fig; 8, I use a kinetic cou ling comprising a yielding spring k2. n other respects the construe tion is like that of Fig. .8.

In Fig. 10 I have omitted the springs b2 of Fig. 8 and given the frame a2 an open form. By omitting the springs the frame oscillates solely by gravity and at its own or inherent frequency unmodified by. the springs. Such a construction oscillating at its natural period is advantageous where a periodical operation is desired.

In Fig. 11 the frame a is arranged between springs b2, as in Figs. 8 and 9, but suspended at the top from an actuating lever k3 pivoted between its ends and driven by the connecting rod h. 4

In Fig. 12 the oscillating mass is a closed frame a3 having laterally extending lugs 4..

Each lug is supported between springs b3. Mounted in the frame a3 is a gear wheel g secured to the shaft c', which in this case takes the place of the driving crank, and imparts continuous rotaryv movement to wheel g. Mounted on the frame are any number of pinions fr here shown, as four, meshing with the gear wheel. Each of these planetary pinions is provided with a lever arm along which a weight p may be secured in adjusted positions. The excentric weights p are so adjusted that they make the s ame angle with the axis of shaft c. The gotaion of the excentric masses p by the gear wheel g driven by shaft c will set the frame asin oscillation and this frame can be connected by clutching or otherwise to any free ure.

running shaft, for example in the manner of the previously described figures.

If the frame a3 is intended to oscillate aperiodically solely under the action of gravity, the springs b3 may be omitted.

A special example of clutch device is i1- lustrated in Figs. 13, 13 and 13b, showing shell s are cams t capable, when swung in either direction as shown in Fig. 13 or 13b, of gripping the two shells. The cams L have slots in which are secured the ends of short leaf springs uwhose opposite ends engage cam slots 5 in a hub 0 having middle portions 6 which hold the springs u unbent. In this position the cams t are rotated into such a position that the cams do not engage the rims w and s-and the parts run idle. If the hub v is shifted along its shaft c2 to the position shown in Fig. 13a the ends of springs u will be located in the portion 8 of the slots 5, and the cams will drive the shell s in the direction of the arrow I of this fig- If the hub u is shifted on shaft c2 so that the ends of the springs u lie at the parts 7 of the slots 5, the cams t will be rocked in the opppsite direction and the driven shell s will rotate in the opposite diretion. Three such cam arrangements are used, as indicated by the dotted lines Fig. 13, arranged symmetrically about the shaft c2.

Such a clutch may be used in a mechanism having a small transmission ratio, substantially in a ratio of 1:1, as shown for example in Fig. 14, where a4 is the oscillating mass in the form of a loop having an upper `and a lower rack, 9, 10, respectively. This loop is mounted to slide on stationary rods 11 provided with coil springs Zrt between which the loop is included. Meshing with the upper rack 9 are the external teeth of a shellm. and with the lower rack 10 the external teeth of a shell Z and between them is the shell m secured to the shaft ca to be driven. The loop is reciprocated by the crank g' and connecting rod h.

In Fig. I have shown two parallel chains 12 and 13 bent around two sprocket wheels r. The ends of. one of the chains (l2) is continued by two unequal springs b5 and b connected to a stationary part. The other chainis similarly continued by springs bf and bs connected to a bell crank by which motion is imparted through the springs b and N to one of the sprocket wheels 1' Which in turn through a suitable clutch as heretofore indicated, drives the shaft through the other sprocket wheel and.v

intermediate clutch. If desired, the mass 'may be increased by a lever and Welghts a are connected and the outer shell is driven.

The elastic member in this case is a leaf spring e2 secured to the inner shell by any suitable fastening means al, and at its outer end at f to the connecting rod h reci rocated by crank g. The speed at which t e outer shell rotates depends upon the extent of flexure of the spring e2. If the load on such a mechanism is increased then the resistance to rotation of the outer driven shell as increases and the spring e2 (is flexed to a greater extent, i. e., bent through a greater angle until its tension is able to overcome the resistance. Of course, a part of the available stroke or angular displacement is lost by bending the spring before the parts respond to the movement under the increased load, so that the shell a.5 receives only an angular displacement lessened by this amount. In consequence of this bending, the transmission ratio of the drive has increased and thus, assuming the same force transmitted through a shorter path, the power at the periphery of the shell a5 has increased.

The energy accumulated in the spring by tensioning it is given back to the moving parts and is evidenced by the increase inthe speed of the mass to which the spring is attached.

The spring e2 and ,its attached ma:s b9 forms a mechanically accumulating system that takes up potential energy when the spring e2 is tensioned, and gives it up in the direction of movement when released.

The transmission ratio increases as the bending of the spring increases and the when moved in the other direction, or'

equivalent devices. The oscillating masses a and a? of these moving devices are connected either directly or indirectly with elastic levers b1, and together they form the oscillating system. In these construc- .InFigs 17 and 18 the springs oscillate about the axis of the drum and are directly connected to the oscillating masses a and a7 by pins z mounted in the masses and with which thes rings interlock; while in Figs. 19 and 20 t e oscillating centers are at 15 on the base of the machine and the springs 121 are indirectly connected to theY oscillating masses through the medium. of connecting rods t.

The drivingmotor actuates the cranks g or g and g2 at a substantially constant speed, and its output is also substantially constant, while the rope drum on account of variations in the amplitude of the oscillating system (oscillating masses and their pertaining springs) when heavil loaded will turn slowly, but when light y loaded will rotate rapidly.

In the above specication different examples of embodiment of the invention are described which are excited by different coupling devices without altering the nature of the invention. l

'lhe following. possibilities of cou ling devices may be used: 1. Mass coup' 2. Elastic coupling; 3. Friction coupling; 4. Magnetic coupling. Each of thesecouplings can transmit its energy in potential or kinetic form, and it is also possible to combine several cou lings in the same system. It is not possi le to illustrate all permutations of different Vkinds of coupling. The coupling must be adjusted so that the total power of the source of energy can be transformed or transmitted by or to an oscillatory. system. By alteration of the mass, of the elasticity, of the friction, the time of its action or the intensity of field acting on the oscillating mass the couplings can be made tight or yielding.

The described invention is especially adapted for use in those mechanisms which have to'overcome varying resistance.

I claim:

1. The combination with reciprocating means, of a freely oscillating weighted member actuated thereby, means between the reciprocating member and the oscillating member to permit a variable amplitude of the oscillating member under all conditions, and means to transl-ate the oscillations of said oscillating member into rotary movement.

2. The combination with means to produce reciprocatory movement; of a freely oscillating weighted member, a resilient device between said means and member whereby the member and means may have limited movement one with respect to the lll " nect the mass and shaft to drive the latter.

other, a shaft, and clutch means between. said v member and shaft to periodically connect them to drive the shaft.

3. The combination with a driving means; of a freely reciprocating pendulous mass, a resilient connection between the driving means and mass, a shaft, means to connect said mass and shaft when said mass :swings in one direction, and means to tune the oscillations of the mass to the driving means.

4. The'combination with a driving means;

of a shaft, a mass free to oscillate, a flexible connection between said mass and driving means, whereby the movement of the mass may vary with respect to the movement of the driving means, and a clutch` means between the shaft and mass to periodically connect them.

5. The combination with a driving means; of a shaft, a mass free to oscillate, a flexible connection between said means and mass to permit the mass to change its movement relatively to the driving means, means to tune the mass substantially to the driving means, and clutch means to periodically con- 6. Mechanism for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion, which comprises a pendulous mass, flexible means to oscillate said pendulous mass by yieldingly imparting motionpthereto means for damping said mass, means for automatically and continuously varying the translation of the oscillations of said mass into rotation from the smallest power and the greatest speed to the largest power and smallest speed, and

means for tuning the oscillations of said pendulous mass to the reciprocations by changing -the length of suspension of said mass, and means to change the effective length of said flexible means.

7. A transmitting mechanism comprising means to produce reciprocatory movement a system having elasticity and mass an capable of substantially free oscillation connected to and oscillated .by said means in approximately tuned relation, a shaft and connecting means between said system and shaft to drive the latter in accordance with the Varying amplitude of said system.

8. The lcombination With means'to produce reciprocating motion; of an oscillating system comprising a substantially freely oscillating mass driven by said means in substantial synchronism therewith, a shaft and mechanism interposed between said mass and shaft to drive the latter in one direction.

9. The combination with means toV pro- 10. The combination with means to producereciprocating motion; of a plurality of oscillating weights connected together, means exerting an elastic restraining force on said weights, av shaft, means to transmit the movement of said Weights to said shaft at each half period of oscillation, andl means to synchronize the operations of said weights.

11. The combination with means to produce reciprocating motion; of an oscillating system including'a mass and a spring acting thereon to restrain its oscillations, a connection between said means and system and means to tune the oscillations of the system to the reciprocations of said means, a shaft, and mechanism to connect the system and shaft during a portion of each period of oscillation.

12. The combination with means to produce reciprocating motion; of an oscillating system including a mass and a spring restraining the oscillations of said mass, an adjustable connection between said means and system, and means to tune the oscillations of the system to the reciprocations of said means, a shaft, and mechanism to connect thev system and shaft during a portion of each period of oscillation.

13. The combination with means to produce reciprocating motion; of an oscillating system comprising a substantially freely swinging mass and a spring restricting the amplitude of oscillation of the mass, a connection between said system and said means, a shaft, a periodically operating clutch `mechanism between said mass and shaft ara shaft, a clutch between -said weight and shaft connecting the shaft and weight during a portion ofreach period of oscillation of said weight to rotate the shaft in one direction.

15.The combination with means to proy duce reciprocating motion; of an oscillating weight, a yielding, adjustable connection between said means vand weight, means to adjust the weight with respect to its ceni ter of oscillation, a shaft, and a coupling between the weight and shaft during a portion of the oscillating period to drive the shaft in one direction.

16. The combination with mechanism to produce reciprocating motion; of an oscillating'mass, means to damp the oscillations of said mass, a yielding connection between said mechanism and mass, a shaft, and a clutch between the mass and shaft to connect them during a ortion of a period of oscillation to rotate t e shaft in one direction.

17. The combination with mechanism to produce reciprocatin motion; of an oscillating mass, means to amp the oscillations of said mass, a yielding connection between said mechanism'and mass, a shaft, a clutch between the mass and shaft to connect them during a portion of a period of oscillation to rotate the shaft in one direction,- and means to tune the oscillations of said mass to reciprocations of said mechanism.

18. The combination with mechanism producing reciprocating motion; of an oscillating system comprising a weight and a spring drlving said system substantially in unison with its natural period of oscillation, a shaft, a clutch vbetween said system and shaft to connect them during aportion of a period of oscillation and means to alter the power accumulated by said system.

19. The combination with afsubstantiallv uniformly reciprocating device and a sha to be driven; o a power transmitting mecl1- anism interposed between them comprising an oscillating weight, a yielding connection between the weight and said device, means to dam the oscillations of said weight, a clutc between the weight and sha t arranged to drive the shaft during a portionv of each oscillation, and means to tune the oscillations of the weight .to the reci rocations of the device.

n testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

GEORG HEINRICH SCHIEFERSTEIN. 

